vamp

[ vamp ]

/ væmp /

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See synonyms for: vamp / vamped on Thesaurus.com

noun

the portion of a shoe or boot upper that covers the instep and toes.

something patched up or pieced together.

Jazz. an accompaniment, usually improvised, consisting of a succession of simple chords.

verb (used with object)

to furnish with a vamp, especially to repair (a shoe or boot) with a new vamp.

to patch up; repair.

to give (something) a new appearance by adding a patch or piece.

to concoct or invent (often followed by up): He vamped up a few ugly rumors to discredit his enemies.

Jazz. to improvise (an accompaniment or the like).

verb (used without object)

Jazz. to improvise an accompaniment, tune, etc.

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Origin of vamp

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English va(u)mpe, wamp(e), from Anglo-French; Middle French avant-pie, equivalent to avant- “fore-” + pie “foot” (French pied); see avaunt, -ped

OTHER WORDS FROM vamp

vamper, nounvampish, adjective

Words nearby vamp

valvulotomy, vambrace, vamoose, vamos, vamose, vamp, vamphorn, vampire, vampire bat, vampires, vampirism

Other definitions for vamp (2 of 2)

vamp²

[ vamp ]

/ væmp /

noun

a seductive woman who uses her sensuality to exploit men.

verb (used with object)

to use feminine charms upon; seduce.

verb (used without object)

to act as a vamp.

Origin of vamp

First recorded in 1905–10; short for vampire

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use vamp in a sentence

Or you are Elizabeth Taylor: an on-screen vamp with the most tempestuously public love-life dramas (with Richard Burton).
Ariana Grande, This Is How to Be a Diva|Tim Teeman|October 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The relationship between Jason Stackhouse and baby vamp Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll)?
‘True Blood’ Season 5: Has HBO’s Vampire Drama Lost Its Bite?|Jace Lacob|June 8, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Amid the color, there was also room for a little vamp at Zac Posen, Devi Kroell, and Tracy Reese.
Fashion Week Day 5|Isabel Wilkinson|February 15, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Chain 1, a double in each double across vamp, narrowing in the middle and at end.
Handbook of Wool Knitting and Crochet|Anonymous

We both slipped off into the crowd and as soon as we encountered our first vamp, we both said, loudly, "Bite bite bite bite bite!"
Little Brother|Cory Doctorow
The vamp was a girl, tiny, so short I thought she was really young, but she must have been 17 or 18 from her face and the smile.
Little Brother|Cory Doctorow
He sat down to vamp an odd accompaniment indifferently, but Marie was not listening for the accompaniment.
Married Life|May Edginton
I think she is,—not a silly vamp, that the girls joke about,—but the real thing!
The Vanishing of Betty Varian|Carolyn Wells

British Dictionary definitions for vamp (1 of 2)

vamp¹

/ (væmp) informal /

noun

a seductive woman who exploits men by use of her sexual charms

verb

to exploit (a man) in the fashion of a vamp

Derived forms of vamp

vamper, nounvampish, adjective

Word Origin for vamp

C20: short for vampire

British Dictionary definitions for vamp (2 of 2)

vamp²

/ (væmp) /

noun

something patched up to make it look new

the reworking of a theme, story, etc

an improvised accompaniment, consisting largely of chords

the front part of the upper of a shoe

verb

(tr often foll by up) to give a vamp to; make a renovation of

to improvise (an accompaniment) to (a tune)

Derived forms of vamp

vamper, noun

Word Origin for vamp

C13: from Old French avantpié the front part of a shoe (hence, something patched), from avant- fore- + pié foot, from Latin pēs

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

vamp

Origin of vamp

OTHER WORDS FROM vamp

Words nearby vamp

Other definitions for vamp (2 of 2)

Origin of vamp

Words related to vamp

How to use vamp in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for vamp (1 of 2)

Derived forms of vamp

Word Origin for vamp

British Dictionary definitions for vamp (2 of 2)

Derived forms of vamp

Word Origin for vamp